Error XR01F5 POP-UP Scam
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
"Error XR01F5" removal instructions
What is "Error XR01F5"?
"Error XR01F5" is a fake error/virus alert displayed in a pop-up window that appears when visiting a deceptive website. This is a scam used to extort money from people by encouraging them to use paid online services or purchase software. Generally, visitors to this website do not open it intentionally - they are redirected by installed potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). One of the main purposes of these apps is to open dubious, deceptive websites. Additionally, PUAs serve users with intrusive advertisements and collect information relating to browsing habits.
Once this scam (deceptive website) is opened, it displays a pop-up window, which is supposedly a security warning window informing visitors that their computers were disabled due to "Error XR01F5". They are encouraged not to ignore or close this warning, since this will disable access to the computer. According to this pop-up window, the user's computer alerted this website that the system was infected with malware and Facebook details, credit card information, email credentials, and browsing history are in danger. To prevent further damage, people are encouraged to contact scammers via the (888) 381-0782 telephone number immediately. This website contains the Windows logo, which scammers use to give the impression of legitimacy. In fact, this scam has nothing to do with Microsoft/Windows Operating Systems. Generally, scammers use websites of this type to trick people into purchasing dubious software or online technical services - this is just a scam displaying a fake error/virus alert. They attempt to make people believe that their computers are in danger and that immediate action should be taken to resolve the problems (fix errors, remove infections, and so on). These websites and pop-up windows should not be trusted. If a browser opens the pop-up and/or website, ignore and close them. If it is impossible to close them in the normal way (to close the opened window or entire browser), use Task Manager to end the browser process. Do not restore the closed session, however, since this will reopen the dubious website.
PUAs also gather browsing-related information such as IP addresses, entered search queries, URLs of visited websites, geo-locations, and other similar details. Some of the recorded data might contain personal/sensitive information. Furthermore, PUAs developers share the data with third parties who misuse it to generate revenue. Note that some of these third parties might be cyber criminals. Installed PUAs also cause intrusive advertisements. To display these ads (coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, and so on), PUAs use tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, these ads conceal underlying content of visited websites. Furthermore, when clicked, they open untrustworthy websites or execute scripts designed to download and install other unwanted apps. For these reasons, we recommend that you uninstall all unwanted apps immediately. Having this rogue software installed and using it can lead to online privacy or browsing safety problems. Some people might end up having their identities stolen.
Name | "Error XR01F5" virus |
Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud. |
Symptoms | Unauthorized online purchases, changed online account passwords, identity theft, illegal access of the computer. |
Distribution methods | Deceptive emails, rogue online pop-up ads, search engine poisoning techniques, misspelled domains. |
Damage | Loss of sensitive/private information, monetary loss, identity theft. |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Malwarebytes. |
Many similar websites promote various scams and attempt to trick people into purchasing software and services by displaying fake virus/error alerts and other deceptive notifications. Other similar scams include "Windows Defender Alert (0x3e7)", "ERROR 0X1CXX560", "Activate Your Windows Now", and "Error Code XLMR01F7985". Many PUAs that force people to visit deceptive websites are also very similar. Typically, they cause unwanted redirects, collect information, and deliver intrusive ads. Although, PUAs are designed simply to generate revenue for their developers, they are promoted as useful and legitimate apps.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
PUAs can be downloaded from their supposedly official websites, however, there are other ways to install this software inadvertently: through intrusive advertisements or when software developers use a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". This method often allows them to successfully trick people into downloading and installing PUAs together with other software. They achieve this by hiding these apps in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar sections of the download or installation set-ups. In fact, these attempts are successful only when users download or install software without checking settings and leave them unchanged.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
All software should be downloaded using official and trustworthy websites or other sources. Third party downloaders, installers, unofficial web pages, and other channels (e.g. Peer-to-Peer networks) should not be used. Do not rush download or installation - check all available settings ("Custom", "Advanced", and so on) and deselect or opt-out of any additional unwanted apps. Not all online advertisements are legitimate - many redirect to untrustworthy, dubious websites such as adult dating, gambling, pornography, and so on. They are often delivered by adware-type apps. If you experience unwanted redirects or ads, check browsers for any unwanted, suspicious, applications (extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons) and uninstall them immediately. Also check the list of installed programs on your computer (operating system) too. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Malwarebytes for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Text presented in "Error XR01F5" pop-up:
YOUR COMPUTER WAS DISABLED
Error # XR01F5
Call MS Technical Support: (888) 381-0782
Do Not Ignore This Important Warning
If you exit this without solving issue, access to your computer will be removed to prevent further destruction to our network.
Your PC has alerted us that it was infected with malware. The following data is in danger:
1. Facebook Details
2. Credit Card Information
3. Email Credentials
4. Browsing History and InformationYou must contact us immediately so our experts can guide you through the restoration process by phone. Please call us within the next 3 minutes to prevent complete loss of your computer.
Contact MS Expert: (888) 381-0782 (Toll-Free)
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Malwarebytes is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Malwarebytes
By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Malwarebytes. 14 days free trial available.
Quick menu:
- What is "Error XR01F5"?
- STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Removal of potentially unwanted applications:
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
Windows XP users:
Click Start, choose Settings and click Control Panel. Locate and click Add or Remove Programs.
Windows 10 and Windows 8 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Mac OSX users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window, look for any suspicious/recently-installed applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove rogue extensions from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the "error xr01f5" virus, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the "error xr01f5" virus, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with "error xr01f5" virus removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the "error xr01f5" virus, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
Removal assistance:
If you are experiencing problems while trying to remove "error xr01f5" virus from your computer, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.
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